Culture Collision 6 — the unique happy-hour hosted by WWNO — kicked off the 2014-15 cultural season with a brand-new venue: The National WWII Museum’s US Freedom Pavilion: The Boeing Center on Wednesday, August 27.

This installment of the annual event brought together more than 60 of New Orleans’ nonprofit visual and performing arts organizations for a one-night-only event designed to encourage participation in the New Orleans art scene. Attendees scoped out upcoming performances, took advantage of exclusive ticket promotions and met like-minded arts lovers.

Festival International de Louisiane, the annual exploration and celebration of world music in the heart of Acadiana, transformed the city of Lafayette into a five-day entertainment showcase this past week.

The free festival featured six music stages, street musicians, arts and crafts, workshops, food, drinks and much more.

"What do I like about Festival?" wondered local resident Karl Schott. "It's open. You can pop your head into a local establishment for a little A/C or a different drink. And you run into everyone you know."

Panya the elephant celebrated her 50th birthday at the Audubon Zoo last week, and scores of people came out to celebrate.

Panya, a 9,500-pound female Asian elephant, was presented with a birthday cake and presents, as well as a special AARP card. A gaggle of children in party hats serenaded her with toy horns, signed a giant birthday card, and shared in some cake of their own.

She was joined by 7,500-pound Jean, a 41-year-old female Asian elephant who has been Panya's sidekick at the zoo for over 30 years.

The Oscar Mayer Wienermobile made a surprise appearance outside the Dat Dog restaurant on Magazine St. this past Tuesday, turning an otherwise mundane National Hot Dog Day into a celebration (at least for this reporter).